Art Deco is having a moment . . . again. Artists, architects, and designers are rediscovering a style that was popular a century ago. After years of plain and simple, a new generation is enjoying a little glitz and glam.
What is Art Deco? “Ask three historians to define the term Art Deco, and you’ll likely get three varying answers,” design writer Arricca Elin SanSone said last year in Elle Décor.
The Art Deco style emerged after World War I. In the 1920s, its sleek, modern, colorful designs featured geometric patterns, symmetry, and luxe materials. They evoked creativity, freedom, and innovation. The movement gave a sense of the future to everything from clothing to cars.
In women’s attire, stiff corseted gowns gave way to flowing dresses and pants. These so-called “flapper” (after the idea of a bird flapping its wings) styles often featured fringes or beads on shimmering fabrics.
Global Art Deco architects morphed flat urban landscapes into soaring skyscrapers. They used curved corners and repeated designs like chevrons or sunbursts. These gave their buildings 3-D effects. Vertical windows made them appear even taller.
Art Deco helped define the sprawling metropolis of New York City. The Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, and Radio City Music Hall became hallmarks of the city that never sleeps.
“Art Deco was the look that sold the city to the world,” says Lilly Tuttle. Tuttle is a curator at the Museum of the City of New York.
The museum recently held an exhibit. “Art Deco City: New York Postcards from the Leonard A. Lauder Collection” showcased clothing, film clips, and ephemera like postcards from the era.
NYC’s Art Deco buildings feature in over 250 postcards. Co-curator Lynda Klich likens the cards to social media today.
Today, Art Deco styles are reemerging. Many designers now favor frills and extravagance after a period of simplicity and minimalism.
On runways worldwide, gleaming satin gowns sport metallic touches. Crystals and feathers adorn the fashions.
“The aesthetic of the 1920s is enjoying a fashionable renaissance,” says Kirsty Thatcher of the Australian fashion magazine Russh. “Drop-waist dresses, sleek bobs, and layers of pearls dominate runways and street style alike.”
Interior designer and lifestyle expert Athena Calderone embraces Art Deco too. She uses alabaster sconces, curvy club chairs, and geometric-patterned furnishings in her new designs for Crate & Barrel.
“Art Deco was synonymous with glamour and luxury,” says London designer Jamie Watkins. “It’s no wonder we’re drawn to it again.”
Why? God made humans to appreciate beauty. But while perception and expression of beauty can change over time, principles still stand through the ages.
